In the quiet, hilly village of Mbiriata in Igembe North Subcounty, Angelica Kariu had spent more than five decades living with paraplegia.
Her physical mobility was limited, but Angelica continued to hold on to hope. Yet over the years, dependence on others had become part of her daily life. Her son often carried her from one place to another, even as he worked to provide for his own young family.
Angelica did not want to be a burden. What she wanted was simple: a way to move around independently and take part in the life of her community again.
Hope arrives
During a COMFI outreach in early 2025, organised by DOMSPARK in collaboration with the County Government, the team visited Mbiriata to assess people living with disabilities.
Angelica was among those they met. More accurately, she was carried to the outreach by her son.
After assessment, Angelica qualified for an adult basic wheelchair. But then a communication breakdown made it impossible for the team to locate her when the wheelchair became available.
Calls and searches were unsuccessful. Mbiriata's remote location and poor network connectivity made communication difficult.
ANGELICA'S WISH
“I believe today I will get help and relieve my son from carrying me around.”
A second encounter
Weeks later, during a routine home visit in the area, the team noticed a woman sitting near a local market centre in a frail, broken wheelchair.
It was Angelica.
The wheelchair she had was worn out and unusable. She could not propel herself in it and had been pushed to the market.
Angelica explained that she had increasingly become isolated. She could no longer attend group meetings and spent much of her time at home. Her son did everything he could to help, but she knew that he also had his own family to support.
Restoring more than mobility
The team immediately updated Angelica's contact information and arranged the delivery of the wheelchair.
The following week, they returned with the adult wheelchair she had been waiting for.
What followed was an outpouring of emotion. Neighbours gathered around. Angelica clapped, cried and offered blessings to those who had helped her.
For many people, a wheelchair may appear to be a simple piece of equipment. For Angelica, it represented something much greater: the possibility of moving without being carried.
Back in the community
Today, Angelica is able to move independently. She can attend women's group meetings, go to church and participate once again in the activities of her community.
Her son no longer has to carry her everywhere. He can focus on providing for his own young family while knowing that his mother has greater independence and safety.
Angelica's journey is a reminder that assistive technology is not simply about providing a device. When the right device reaches the right person, it can restore choice, connection, dignity and a sense of belonging.